Annual Saltdogs field trip is a Hit with LPS fifth-graders
More than 3,300 Lincoln Public Schools fifth-grade students cheered on the home team at a Lincoln Saltdogs baseball game on Wednesday. It’s an LPS tradition now in its 10th year that combines classroom learning with a day at the ballpark.
And oh, what a day at the ballpark. Picture-perfect weather. Concession stands selling ice cream and hot dogs. On-field entertainment between innings. And a 3-1 win for Lincoln.
To say this field trip was a hit would be an understatement. This was a walk-off home run.
“I really love being at school but this is really, really, really exciting,” said Makenzie, a student at Fredstrom Elementary School who wore a Saltdogs hat tugged down just above her eyes.
Said Evan, from Campbell Elementary School: “Did you see where we are sitting in the stadium? We’re so close to the field. We’re the luckiest school ever.”
I really love being at school but this is really, really, really exciting.
Keziah from Campbell Elementary School loved being with her friends. Kayana from Roper Elementary School loved the Dippin’ Dots ice cream she was able to buy. And Brayden, also from Roper, just loved watching the game.
“I am all about baseball. I love baseball. I live baseball. I’ve been on a baseball team ever since I was young. I love the Saltdogs,” he said.
Matt Avey, LPS curriculum specialist for health and physical fitness, said the annual field trip to Haymarket Park is meant not only as a fun activity but as a way to reinforce social-emotional learning – the “soft skills” – that students are being taught in the classroom.
“We hope they leave and feel a little more enriched that they were able to attend an event like this in our community and that they were able to use some of those skills they’re learning in the classroom, including how to represent yourself and your school in public,” Avey said, adding that students write thank-you letters to the Saltdogs organization after the game.
Students also learned about good sportsmanship and fan etiquette.
“You should never boo because that’s disrespectful,” said Amanu, a student from Adams Elementary School. “The players are already under a lot of pressure.”
Some students not only attended the game but were active participants. Students from Arnold Elementary School sang the “Star-Spangled Banner.” Cooper from Beattie Elementary School was the Saltdogs’ “mini-manager,” handing over the team’s lineup card to the umpire and yelling the traditional “Play ball!” to start the game. A student from each of the 39 elementary schools served as a “watchdog” and ran onto the field with Saltdog players as they were introduced before the game.
Saltdogs President/General Manager Charlie Meyer has been involved with the LPS field trip since its first year – and it never gets old.
“I just love seeing all the kids at the ballpark.”
